What will my
wedding day
be like?

That is a question every little girl asks from the time she is old enough to pretend to walk down the aisle.You probably asked that question, too. Now here you are – engaged – planning your wedding. What do you want more than anything for that day? Do you know? Priority Planning can help you remember those special touches that will showcase your personality and style - and make your wedding day all you dreamed it would be.

To begin Priority Planning, take time to think about what is really important to you. Take a long walk - or a leisurely bubble bath - and remember the weddings you’ve attended. What made them special in your eyes? What do you remember about each one? Consider which of those elements you would like to incorporate into your own wedding. Maybe you loved the string quartet at one wedding - or the one with the country band. Did you love the elaborate arrangements of flowers with lots of candles, or did you prefer the simpler decorating styles?

Next, put your imagination to work. Daydream. Don’t be afraid to dream big. Make notes of your thoughts. In order to achieve your ‘dream wedding,’ you must know what that dream entails. The earlier you determine what you really want, the better your opportunity to make it happen. Don’t assume it can’t be done if it is something you’d really love. If you can’t do the real thing, maybe you can find a great substitute that will give an effect you’d like to achieve.

While Priority Planning, our oldest daughter said her daydream was to have the Vienna Boys Choir for their wedding ceremony. She would love their high airy voices in the wonderful church where her wedding would be held. We couldn’t hire the choir, but we started thinking about what we could do to get a similar effect. A dozen female friends with lovely singing voices became a beautiful – and very special – choir that provided just the touch she wanted.

After remembering and dreaming, it is time for a dose of reality. (You knew that was coming, right?) You must apply actual, practical planning to your dreams. It is time to break out the pen and paper and make a list. Put down your priorities in black and white. Number them in order of importance. You now have a written reference tool for making decisions regarding the wedding – and for conferring with your wedding team. When questions arise, you ask yourselves, “What fits with the priorities we have chosen? Considering the resources available, which is our best choice? Will we spend more money or time on the item that is at the bottom of our priority list or on the one that is second from the top?”

Even after thinking and working through the priority list, decisions will sometimes be difficult. Some items will need to be added or omitted as the planning proceeds. However, if there has been adequate forethought and Priority Planning, you will have a great beginning. You will have built the framework for a wonderful, memorable wedding.

PRIORITY LIST:

If you could do anything you wanted for your wedding, what would you do?
What would be the most fun for each of you on this special day?
How could you showcase your personality and style as a couple at your wedding?
What special elements would make your wedding your very own?
What do you want to remember when you look back at your wedding?
What is it the bride has ‘always wanted’ at her wedding?
Is there something that the groom thinks will make the day for him?
Which things are important – really important – to each of you?
Which elements are most deserving of the time and money that will be spent on them?